The Order of Life
Episcopal Diocese of Kansas
Topeka Kansas
Assembled for daily practice in following the rule of the “Order of Life” from
The 1979 U.S. Book of Common Prayer: Formatted
The Order of Life
Your Parish Name
Address
Phone
The “Order of Life” of is a voluntary rule of life designed to help adherents organize their lives around the experience of personal prayer, corporate worship, devotional study and spiritual discipline. By submitting this application, you are indicating your desire to commit to the intentions and practices outlined on the back of this form.
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
E-Mail:
I am an Episcopalian.YesNo
I am a member of (your parish name)YesNo
I have been baptized.YesNo
I have been confirmed or received.YesNo
Signature
Date:
Rule of the “Order of Life”
I understand that following the rule of the Order of Life involves committing myself to the following intentions and practices:
Daily Prayer and Worship
I desire to commit to the discipline of daily prayer and worship by observing the practice of Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, and Evening Prayer according to the form provided in the rule for the Order of Lifebased on the Book of Common Prayer.
I desire to commit to the daily reading of scriptures by following the daily readingsrecommended in the Book of Common Prayer. (websites are available including: scroll down to Calendar View to select the month)
Regular Corporate Worship
I desire to commit to active, regular attendance at the main weekly worship at (your parish name) and to full participation in the Eucharistic celebration of the community.
I desire to commit to active, regular attendance at the principal feasts of the Christian calendar (including Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and All Saints), and to the intentional observance of a holy Lent.
Stewardship
I desire to commit to devoting a tithe of my time to the building up of God’s kingdom.
I desire to commit to using the skills and gifts I have been given to the building up of God’s kingdom.
I desire to commit to tithing 10% of my income to the work of the church and the spread of God’s kingdom.
Ministry
I desire to commit to actively invest myself in one or another of the ministries of (your parish name)and to pursue thereby the furtherance of God’s work in this place.
I desire to commit to discerning the ministry to which God is calling me based on the gifts and experiences with which I have been blessed.
I desire to commit to active participation in quarterly gatherings of those committed to following the rule of the “Order of Life” for the purpose of fellowship, mutual support and encouragement.
I desire to commit to preparing a written quarterly reflection on my life of faith and submitting my reflections to a spiritual director or a member of the clergy.
Other Personal or Corporate Disciplines:
Sunday Morning Prayer
Opening Sentence
From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be greatamong the nations, and in every place incense shall be offeredto my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be greatamong the nations, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11
CanticleVenite Psalm 95:17
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.
Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.*
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!
The Word of God
Here may be read an appointed lesson or passage from the scriptures or a selection from the Psalter: The lectionary for the daily office in the Book of Common Prayer (936-995) includes appropriate selections, or the link may be found online at:
At the end of the psalm is said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Except in Lent, addAlleluia.
The Prayers
Our Father, who art in heaven,Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name, hallowed be your Name,
thy kingdom come, your kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those as we forgive those
who trespass against us. who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,Save us from the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil. and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,For the kingdom, the power,
and the power, and the glory, and the glory are yours,
for ever and ever. Amen. now and for ever. Amen.
Collect for Sunday
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance ofthe glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us thisday such blessing through our worship of you, that the weekto come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ ourLord. Amen
Prayer for mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the wholebody of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer beforeyou for all members of your holy Church, that in theirvocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you;through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sunday Evening Prayer
Opening Sentence
Let our prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the liftingup of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2
CanticlePhos hilaron
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the ever-living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
The Word of God
Here may be read an appointed lesson or passage from the scriptures or a selection from the Psalter: The lectionary for the daily office in the Book of Common Prayer (936-995) includes appropriate selections, or the link may be found online at:
At the end of the psalm is said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Except in Lent, addAlleluia.
The Prayers
Lord God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ triumphed overthe powers of death and prepared for us our place in the newJerusalem: Grant that we, who have this day given thanks forhis resurrection, may praise you in that City of which he is thelight, and where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we livein and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day,who work while others sleep, and grant that we may neverforget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil;through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis Luke 2:2932
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awakewe may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace
Monday Morning Prayer
Opening Sentence
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartbe acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and myredeemer. Psalm 19:14
CanticleJubilate Psalm 100
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.
Know this: The Lord himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.
For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.
The Word of God
Here may be read an appointed lesson or passage from the scriptures or a selection from the Psalter: The lectionary for the daily office in the Book of Common Prayer (936-995) includes appropriate selections, or the link may be found online at:
At the end of the psalm is said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Except in Lent, addAlleluia.
The Prayers
Our Father, who art in heaven,Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name, hallowed be your Name,
thy kingdom come, your kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those as we forgive those
who trespass against us. who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,Save us from the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil. and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,For the kingdom, the power,
and the power, and the glory, and the glory are yours,
for ever and ever. Amen. now and for ever. Amen.
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you havebrought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with yourmighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcomeby adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling ofyour purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of theearth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to thosewho are far off and to those who are near: Grant that peopleeverywhere may seek after you and find you; bring thenations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through JesusChrist our Lord. Amen
Monday Noon Prayer
It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake. For the same God who said, “Our of darkness, let light shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation -- the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6
CanticleThe First Song of Isaiah Ecce, DeusIsaiah 12:26
Surely, it is God who saves me; *
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense, *
and he will be my Savior.
Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing *
from the springs of salvation.
And on that day you shall say, *
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name;
Make his deeds known among the peoples; *
see that they remember that his Name is exalted.
Sing the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, *
and this is known in all the world.
Cry aloud, inhabitants of Zion, ring out your joy, *
for the great one in the midst of you is the Holy One of Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
The Word of God
Here may be read an appointed lesson or passage from the scriptures or a selection from the Psalter: The lectionary for the daily office in the Book of Common Prayer (936-995) includes appropriate selections, or the link may be found online at:
At the end of the psalm is said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Except in Lent, addAlleluia.
The Prayers
Our Father, who art in heaven,Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name, hallowed be your Name,
thy kingdom come, your kingdom come,
thy will be done, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those as we forgive those
who trespass against us. who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,Save us from the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil. and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,For the kingdom, the power,
and the power, and the glory, and the glory are yours,
for ever and ever. Amen. now and for ever. Amen.
The Prayers
General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us do to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into all truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Monday Evening Prayer
Opening Sentence
Yours is the day, O yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter. Psalm 15:16
CanticlePhos hilaron
O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the ever-living Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.
The Word of God
Here may be read an appointed lesson or passage from the scriptures or a selection from the Psalter: The lectionary for the daily office in the Book of Common Prayer (936-995) includes appropriate selections, or the link may be found online at:
At the end of the psalm is said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
Except in Lent, addAlleluia.
The Prayers
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercydefend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the loveof your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, orweep this night, and give your angels charge over those whosleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, blessthe dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield thejoyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.